Recent

I realized I haven't posted any recent happenings/pics in awhile. The other night, Ryan and Kayson were playing soccer in the house. Yes, in the house. Ryan started bouncing the ball on his head and Kayson was CRACKING UP! I have SO many pictures of him laughing like this first picture. Then Ryan bounced the ball on Kayson's head - that's the second pic - Kayson is saying "Dad bounce on my head!" This is a view from our deck - to the right and then to the left. Kayson and Daddy have a "late-night" snack of an oreo every once in awhile - this one happened to be after supper. Kayson loved it! ;) This was a fairly warm afternoon - we shot hoops outside! Tonight we did some organizing in the basement. We have a section of the basement that is our 'storage' area - and it was actually pretty cleaned up, but Ryan purchased a nice heavy-duty shelf and we placed some things on that in better spots, etc. It feels like we have a ton more room! It was a great little project for tonight! Kayson played super hard while we were 'working' and organzing - he helped Ryan move the shelves and lift things... he loves to help! He did find himself in the two large bins of BABY toys! haha. Whatever - he was happy and busy! ;) He likes the change of the environment!

Where did today go!?

Mondays = Yuk. However, today has went SO fast, I can't even hardly remember any 'yuk'! It was a good, very busy day at work... after picking K up from daycare, we rushed home to 'put some things away' and make the house 'presentable' for our good friends to visit. Justin & Christina came over for pizza and to hang out... we had such a great time. Christina & I sat in Kayson's room and talked and talked... while Justin & Ryan sat in the living room and talked and talked... where was Kayson this whole time?! He was going from room to room playing and talking like crazy - he did so well! The Oswald's are expecting their first baby in September, and we are so thrilled... Christina had tons of questions and thoughts - so we talked 'baby' all night! I love it! Now it's nearly 10pm... where did today go? It was a nice day... good way to start the week.

Nightie Night!

Five Question Friday

1. Are you a neat sleeper or a messy sleeper?
Well, I THINK I'm a neat sleeper - I mean, I can toss and turn, but I don't 'jack' up the sheets/blankets too much... I don't think anyways! I do know when Ryan is gone, I honestly don't think I move some nights. It's funny to wake to the sheets/blankets being hardly touched. ha.

2. Fill in the blank: I wish I was more ______________.
Prettier. Thinner. Smarter. Talented. This is a hard question.

3. What is something you had wished you had been warned about?
How expensive life in general is. Unless you make a ton of money, life sometimes is tough when it comes to money. I feel that Ryan and I do REALLY well and are smart when it comes to purchasing things, etc... but I still feel overwhelmed at times when things that you sometimes really need are very expensive. That stinks!

4. What is the best thing you've found at a garage sale/flea market?
Last year JeanAnn purchased me a really cool old wooden chair for my photography - I believe she got that at a garage sale. And also last year, I purchased a cool red step stool for my photography - and I got that at a flea market.

5. If you could have any meal brought to you right now, what would it be?
Hmmm... if it was 6 pm, I would say ham balls and cheesy hashbrowns. Yum. But since it's before 8 am, I would say some eggs, bacon and toast.

Thinking...

about lots of stuff tonight...

• Kayson seems to think it's cool to go #2 10 minutes after we get home from daycare! I told him today that "he needs to go poop at daycare - that's what we pay them for!" ha.
• Kayson has officially moved from calling us Momma & Dadda (on a regular basis) - we've moved to "Mom" and "Dad". That makes me super sad! Are we that old!??!
• Ryan is home. YEA! Tonight = sitting on the couch together watching basketball... Love it!
• We got our new laptop - loving it so far. We have everything transferred over except all my pictures. That's a task - maybe we'll tackle that this weekend.
  
• Kayson's been SO tired this week... and has also been eating like a horse. (I'm not complaining AT ALL!) He's slept well - all through the night, which is awesome too. Now that Daddy is home, I hope he keeps it up! ha.
  
• One of Kayson's daycare teachers told me today that he's starting to get an imagination. She asked if we had a parrot at home. I laughed and said no - she said he told her today that he has a parrot named Pete. Interesting.
  
• There are houses going up all around us - well, in our backyard, as Kayson calls it. I'll have to take a picture this weekend of the progress.
  
• I feel like shopping. Not a good sign. ;)
• We need to go through Kayson's books again. We read so much that I get tired of the same books!!! I know Kayson probably doesn't care, he goes to the same 3 or 4 every night, but I'm ready for new ones. (And I JUST got done saying this about 3 weeks ago - and I bought a few then). Time flies and he's growing TOO FAST!
• We've purchased a few spring/summer clothes for Kayson - the drawback is that he doesn't want to try any of the clothes on - especially the shorts. I have a feeling he's going to hate the transition to shorts!!
  

That's all I've got tonight. I'm glad tomorrow is Friday and I'm going to start the Five Question Friday thing back up!

Funnies

Here are some conversations Kayson and I had at the dinner table tonight:
K: Logan poop in his diaper...
Me: Ok... Logan can poop in his diaper.
K: Logan poop diaper outside coat...
Me: Did Logan poop outside when you were playing today?
K: On his coat.
Me: Really!?! I bet that was a mess. hahaha... As I am laughing, Kayson is laughing too!

K: Daddy traveling.
Me: Yep honey... he'll be home soon.
K: Mommy sit Daddy's chair.
Me: I'll sit in Daddy's chair tonight since he's not home. Is that ok?
K: Yah, Kayson sit in highchair... my spot!!!

Here are some random things that were said throughout the night tonight:
Whenever the dogs bark, Kayson yells: NO BARK PUPPIES!!!

He was mowing, and I told him "Straight lines Kayson."
As he's mowing, he says "Straight lines Mom."
Notice --- Mom, not Momma. Oh lord!

K: Workers sleep.
Me: Who are the workers?
K: As he points outside - build houses in back yard.
Me: Yep, the workers aren't working now cuz it's dark out... they'll start up again tomorrow.
K: Workers sleepin. Moon out... Shhh!

30 DBC: Your favorite song

Yikes... I don't think I have a FAVORITE song. I like a lot of songs... so I'm not going to choose! What a weird last question to the 30 Day Blog Challenge!!! ha.

Fresh Air

We got some fresh air today... it wasn't all the nicest out (kind of gloomy & windy), but it worked! The three of us went for a walk this morning... and even this afternoon too... while we were out this afternoon, we walked to the neighbors. He was putting up a pretty kick-butt play set... Ryan and a few other neighbor guys ended up helping with the finished product. While the men 'worked', the women and kids played... well, the kids played. I had a really nice time just catching up with some of the women and watching the kiddos play. Kayson did so well - played well with the kids, played well on the play set - went down the slide like a pro and climbed up the steep steps. (Really proud of him for that). Anyway, we had such a good time, we were outside for over 2 and a half hours. I was shocked, but glad - the time was great and Kayson got the fresh air he needed!

Now it's quiet time... Ryan's putting him down, I'm catching up on emails/blog, and watching some more basketball. It was a nice weekend... always goes too fast though. And I'm finally feeling better. I'm hoping this coming week goes fast, Ryan's got to travel again, so really hoping to keep busy.

30DBC: In the last 30 days - What have you learned?

Well... that life is too short. I obviously already knew that, but it's more evident now due to the loss of my friend and coworker. Life is tough, life sometimes isn't fair, and most definately it's too short. So... with that - I promise to live my life to the fullest. Hugs and love out to all my family and friends.

30DBC: A picture of you from last year & a picture of you recently; And how have you changed

Last year.


Just last week.


How have I changed in the last year? Wow... um... well, in the pictures, it looks like my hair - and it has changed... but it changes almost everytime I go see Lacey. I'll either style it a little differently, or the color will be just a tad different from time to time... sometimes it's 'flat', sometimes, it's behind my ears, sometimes I actually 'do' it and it looks nice!

Another thing that's changed is I'm ful-filled. I was 'full' last year having a 1+ year old... but something has changed... I'm happier and really looking forward to what the future will bring for me and my family.

30DBC: Why are you doing this 30 Day Challenge?

I'm a follower. Period.
I saw my fellow bloggers doing this and figured... why not. It's been fun and different too. I'm not sure I'll do it again, if it were to come up again tho.

30DBC: What do you think about your Friends?

What would I do without them!?!? I love them all... each one of my friends is different and special... I learn from each of them every day... I'm very lucky to have a variety of friends.

Whether you've been a friend to me for 33 years or just over a year, you know who you are and you know that I appreciate you! I love you all!

He makes me smile

I'm sick... again. I mean, really? For the last several months, I feel like we (as a family) haven't been able to catch a break when it comes to being sick. I've got the sinus infection thing going on... full head, full ears, full nose. It's just plain gross. I went to the doctor today and she looked in my ears and said "Can you even hear?"; she looked in my throat and said "That's why you are coughing... it's just draining."; and looked in my nose and said "WOW!" To say the least, I just haven't felt good lately. I'm worn out... and ready to be better - maybe ready for nice weather all the time, that type of thing.

Anyway, after staying home all day - laying around, sleeping... coughing, blowing my nose... I picked up Kayson from daycare. Seeing him just makes me smile. We got home and he wanted to play outside... it was rather windy, but we did... we ended up walking up the street a little... he talked and talked about "the workers building houses... excavators working, digging dirt... it's windy, blow my hair - messy!" He just amazes me... makes me smile and makes me forget that I don't feel well.

We got out his little basketball hoop and he's been doing so well and 'shooting hoops' - he'll put the ball down on the ground and say "Dribble Dribble", then he'll "Shoot" -- and most of the time he makes it and he yells "YEA!" and claps. It's so sweet.

30DBC: What I would find in your bag/purse

Oh too much crap!

• Wallet, plus a flat wallet with coupons, gift cards, extra cash, etc in it.
• Checkbook, that rarely ever gets used.
• Small calendar, that rarely gets used!
• Small makeup bag - that has more crap in it that could probably be combined with the other crap!
• Badge for work
• iPod
• Pens
• Tampons, hair clips/ties/bobbiepins, nail files, Tide Stick
• Cell Phone
• Lip gloss
• Keys to work desk, daycare entrance key & mail key

30DBC: Your last 5 Facebook status'

1. Kayson and Daddy are BOTH quiet and watching a movie. Kayson - BARNEY & Ryan - ROCKY. I'm a tad bored. (Probably shouldn't say that out loud!)

2. Sick of being sick... tuckered out.

3. Big Boy Haircut! (Insert pic of Kayson!)

4. has a very heavy heart today.

5. Praying for a 'new' and happier week.

Emotionally Spent

I'm exhausted. Mentally & physically.
I've had crazy weeks before, I've had hard weeks before... but I feel that this past week has been tougher than most. An emotional roller-coaster to be exact.

• Having my promotion being announced at work - I felt very proud & happy.
• Having Ryan gone once again - I felt a little overwhelmed.
• Hearing the news about my friend & co-worker - More than sad, very angry, lost, scared. Attending his visitation - Again, very sad... and also still felt anger. I think the reason the anger is still hanging on is the fact that he was so young and had a wonderful family of a wife and two young boys. And the fact that cancer can do this to a family... Seeing "D" laying in the casket was the worst thing I've seen in years - he didn't look like 'him'. He didn't look full of life, or have that smile that we remembered. It wasn't him. That makes me mad. Hearing his 4 year old son say he "wants Daddy to come down from heaven" hurts more than I can explain. I'm finding myself thinking about the situation a lot... a lot more than I ever anticipated. It's just sad. I relate it to my life - how I don't ever want anything like this to happen to me. I think about others who fight cancer and live... and die. Like I said, emotional roller-coaster... just nonstop thinking and wanting "D's" family to have their grief be eased somehow.
• Seeing my niece, Hope, play VB today - Anxious & happy.
• Hearing about Ryan's cousin, Jenna, win the Free Throw Shoot out today and get to head to the Nationals - Makes both of us very happy & excited for her.
• Hearing of my friend, Lacey's, Aunt passing away unexpectedly - Sad & tired of crying.

I'm wiped out... We lose an hour of sleep tonight... oh just what I need! ;) I hope you are all safe, happy & healthy tonight.

30DBC: Something you crave

That depends on the day... depends on my taste buds.
Some days it could be a cold Dr. Pepper... other days it could be chips & salsa, or sugar cookies, or fruit. All over the place with this one... I don't have one specific thing!

30DBC: What makes you different from everyone else

My laugh. Or at least that's what some people would tell me.

30DBC: Picture of something that makes you happy

St. Lucia Sandals resort (our honeymoon)


Other things (no pictures needed) that make me happy:

• Ryan, Kayson & Family
• Friends
• a clean house
• a clean car
• Panera Broccoli Cheese soup
• El Rodeo chips & salsa
• Picking up Kayson from daycare

30DBC: Someone you love

What a loaded 'request' for the blog challenge.

I could go several ways with this one... My first thought is Kayson... and Ryan, my parents, my sisters and their families... my in-laws, my friends, God. I'm lucky to love a lot of people, so I can't choose one to narrow in on for this challenge.

You all know who you are.

Heavy Heart

My work family lost a consultant yesterday (we found out this morning). He was 41 years old and battled Hodgkin's Lymphoma cancer. I have worked with "D" for nearly 12 years - he was a great guy, mentor, friend, and person (and Daddy to two young boys). I, along with several others in the department, have many memories of "D".


I've been very lucky in my life to not lose a lot of people that I've cared about... unfortunately, this happens and most of the time it's very unexpected. Today is one of those times where I wasn't really expecting this, but deep down, I also knew something was very serious and wrong. My heart hurts, it's very, very heavy today... very sad, as I think of his boys and his wife, I think of his parents and other family members as they greive, and I think of our work family. My tears just will not stop.

Cousins

Monday afternoon we took a couple snapshots of Kayson & Tate... with matching shirts of course. Aren't they freakin' cute?!?!

This one is priceless - Kayson laughing hard and Tate is toppling over... too funny!

30DBC: Nicknames you have & why you have them

Oh this is going to be embarrassing... at least one of them. Here it goes:

Muffy. Yes, Muffy. When I was a baby, my Dad called me 'Muffin'... and then when I got a little older, it changed to Muffy. And I still get called this by my immediate family.

Phoebes. This started at work - an old co-worker of mine and I were joking around and I apparently said or did something that reminded him of Phoebe on FRIENDS. He thought it would be funny to call me that. This only gets brought up about once a year now.

Jaaaaaanel. That's kind of hard to type out! This started by Lacey... and then soon was followed by Ryan calling me that... and now Colleen does and a few other close friends.

Hardy Har Har. Yes, lovely. This was a junior high/high school nickname. I haven't been called that in years, and I'm glad for that! ;)

Promoted... Busy... 1/2 Day... Thinking... Ramblings

Lots of 'happenings' have been going on in the Taylor household over the last couple days... We had a nice weekend - nice weekend with Ryan at home. Gosh I miss him when he's gone. We kept busy obviously last week, but still at 10 pm when it's bedtime, I miss him - I miss laying in bed watching TV and talking... He's gone again this week, and crossing my fingers that it's the last time for awhile (meaning a couple months maybe)!

We enjoyed the scenery at Uncle Buck's & Bass Pro Shop Saturday evening... We had never been there, so we walked around that LARGE place for a couple hours. Kayson loved walking around - testing out the pontoon boats (awesome), sitting on the 4 wheelers, and watching the real, LARGE fish. It was a good time, and he was worn out...

Last week I was notified at work that I was being promoted. I was thrilled... thrilled that the work I've done has paid off... that my boss and other management see what I can bring to the department and they trust in me. It was a very, VERY nice feeling.

Today I'm taking a 1/2 day off... to spend some more time with Martina & Tate. Martina goes back to work next Monday... and we were hoping to get some more time together... and I'm really looking forward to it. We'll do lunch and she wants to do some shopping... sounds good to me! With things being super busy (at home... and at work), it's nice to have a little break... and this break will be so relaxing. We'll pick up Kayson from daycare a little early too, so he can have some extra time with Tate too.

Ryan and I ordered a new laptop last night... Ours has been a great laptop, I think we've had it for nearly 6 years... maybe? Either way, it's been good... but just in the last 6 months or so we've seen some 'problems' with it. One thing that comes to mind for me is (and only because it happened to me!) I went to open the 'lid' awhile back and the little gray covers on the screws popped off. It was so comical at the time and literally makes me laugh out loud now. It's just funny... it was like it was busting at the seams! ha. That's just something very small, but it was time for an upgrade, so I'm anxious to have that here in the next week or so.

Kayson is growing up way too fast. I mean - REALLY?!?! He's talking like a big boy, he's helping out with so much, he's just such a little man and all I want to do is squeeze him!!

30DBC: Plans/Dreams/Goals you have

In no specific order:

• Have baby #2
• Go on vacation or just a weekend away - just the 3 of us... (would like this to happen before baby #2!)
• Go on vacation - just Ryan & I (or with a group of friends) - somewhere warm!
• Finish the basement (start with bathroom first)
• Raise healthy and very smart and respectful children
• Lose 5 to 8 pounds
• Pay off our vehicles
• Go to Disney World
• Have the inside of our home painted professionally

30DBC: Someone you'd want to switch lives with for one day & why

Um... Kayson (or any small child). The reason --- because they don't have any worries... not a care in the world. I would love to have that peace and calmness every day.

This is a tough one!!

30DBC: Another picture of you

My goodness - pictures pictures of MYSELF?!?! Really?! I had to dig into the wedding photos, and even those, I didn't 'save' the ones of just ME. So, here are others that I'm running across:

Martina & I


Ryan & I - Football game... about 7 months pregnant


Long Family Reunion -- Who took the camera from me?!?! The single only pic of myself. It was hot and humid (notice the flat hair), and I was a new mom, so that = Tired! Yuk!

We've been B.U.S.Y!

All I have to say is - Thank goodness tomorrow is Friday!

Ryan's been in Kansas this week. Kayson and I have done great - meaning, we've kept busy!

Monday AND Tuesday Kayson was spoiled and got to play with Miss Cali. Two nights in a row! Lucky little kiddos! They did well together like always... even with Cali's little 'bossy' demeanor! ;) Oh she's SUCH a girl! And as a side note, we have bribery when they get older --- a bath together!!! OH it's priceless! Pictures & video were taken! ;)

Wednesday I had volleyball. Miss Whitney (one of Kayson's wonderful teachers) stayed with him. You know she's a keeper when her and him are sitting on the couch reading and I'm running around getting my stuff together... and Kayson says "Momma volleyball... Bye Bye Momma!" as he waves and smiles! Didn't even phase him that I was leaving... simply awesome! We've been SO lucky to really connect with several of his teachers along the way... it's great!

Tonight... tonight we actually have nothing planned... however, as I'm sitting here getting ready to go home... I'm thinking - we could go to the mall and play, we could go for a drive (he LOVES to look at the houses that are being built around us!) or... we could just stay in. I'm not sure what we'll do - but either way, we won't be sitting! We'll stay busy!

And tomorrow... Ryan will be home. Hallelujah! ;) I'm ready for a weekend with my hubby... and also lunch with a friend, so Ryan can have some alone time with K!

30DBC: Put your iPod on Shuffle - List the first 10 Songs that play

1. Stop & Stare -- OneRepublic
2. Don't You Wanna Stay -- Jason Aldean & Kelly Clarkson
3. Just a Dream -- Nelly
4. Collide -- Howie Day
5. Raise your Glass -- P!nk
6. Misery -- Maroon 5
7. Need You Now -- Lady Antebellum
8. The Way You Make Me Feel -- Michael Jackson
9. Closer to Love -- Mat Kearney
10. You Don't Have to Let Go -- Jessica Simpson

Big Boy Cut

Kayson has had several hair cuts in his short life... and this one, by far, is my favorite. Ce-Ce asked when we got there - "Same?"... and I said, "Let's go a little shorter!" and we did, we went SHORT... and I HEART it.

He looks like SUCH A BIG BOY!! Don't you think so?!

30DBC: A picture of you & your family

Here are a couple:

Wedding Day (Hardy side)

Us as new parents - don't we look tired?!?!

Long Family reunion - All my cousins & me

and the most recent... and by far the best picture of the 3 of us!

Again - I don't have a ton of family pictures... it's obvious to me now that I'm ALWAYS behind the camera! ;)